Asymmetric aldol reactions. A new camphor-derived chiral auxiliary giving highly stereoselective aldol reactions of both lithium and titanium(IV) enolates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja00004a034

A new, conformationally rigid camphor-derived N-propionyloxazolidinone effects asymmetric stereochemical control in syn-selective aldol condensations of the derived lithium and titanium(IV) enolates with a variety of aldehydes. Simple and diastereofacial selectivities of the reaction are high, and diastereomeric purities of the crude aldol adducts can be improved, usually by a single recrystallization, to levels of 98-99% in most cases. The observed facial selectivity is best explained by a transition structure in which intramolecular chelation between the oxazolidinone carbonyl oxygen and the metal induces an enolate π-facial differentiation; the major products observed are those expected from chelation control. Hydrolysis of the exocyclic carbonyl of the aldol adducts led to β-hydroxy-α-methylcarboxylic acids, with recovery of the chiral auxiliary. Consonant double-asymmetric induction with (R)-2-(benzyloxy)propanal gave the product expected from oxazolidinone chelation but nonchelation of the aldehyde benzyloxy group.